Bentes Auctions
e-Auction 1 31 October 2014
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Spain, Philip II, 8 Reales, 1597, Segovia mint. "Arbolito" (Lesmes Fernandez del Moral). Extremely rare, unknown to many. Cayón -, Calicó 170 (mistakenly). Cleaned some time in the past, reacquired soft, gray uniform patina. One of the rarest Segovian coins from this era, of the highest rarity.
Extraordinary specimen of the highest rarity, struck in Segovia in 1597 with the extremely rare essayer mark of a tree ("Arbolito") - a Blackberry (Morus Nigra), known in Spanish as Moral - standing for Segovian essayer Lesmes Fernandez del Moral. This essayer worked shortly at the Segovian mint, only for a few months in 1597.
Lesmes Fernandez del Moral was the disciple of Juan de Arte y Villafañe. In 1596, he became the main essayer of the Segovian mint house.
Known in pieces of 1, 2 and 4 Reales, this is the first time we witness an Arbolito 8 Reales. Cayón does not mention it, and although it is pictured in Calicó, with number 170, its description does not match, since due to the poor quality of the coin depicted, they mistakenly interpreted the tree as an I (essayer's mark for Ioan de Ortega).
The specimen presented today has a perfect strike for its type, that allows a perfect visualization of the many traits of the coin, especially its date and the essayer's mark.
One of the rarest 8 Reales ever struck at the Segovian mint house. A unique opportunity to have this extremely desireable coin, that few times is seen available for sale. A key piece for any collection of Spanish coins.
Extraordinary specimen of the highest rarity, struck in Segovia in 1597 with the extremely rare essayer mark of a tree ("Arbolito") - a Blackberry (Morus Nigra), known in Spanish as Moral - standing for Segovian essayer Lesmes Fernandez del Moral. This essayer worked shortly at the Segovian mint, only for a few months in 1597.
Lesmes Fernandez del Moral was the disciple of Juan de Arte y Villafañe. In 1596, he became the main essayer of the Segovian mint house.
Known in pieces of 1, 2 and 4 Reales, this is the first time we witness an Arbolito 8 Reales. Cayón does not mention it, and although it is pictured in Calicó, with number 170, its description does not match, since due to the poor quality of the coin depicted, they mistakenly interpreted the tree as an I (essayer's mark for Ioan de Ortega).
The specimen presented today has a perfect strike for its type, that allows a perfect visualization of the many traits of the coin, especially its date and the essayer's mark.
One of the rarest 8 Reales ever struck at the Segovian mint house. A unique opportunity to have this extremely desireable coin, that few times is seen available for sale. A key piece for any collection of Spanish coins.